Lawyers representing Giovanni Ramirez, the man authorities insist is the "prime suspect" in the Bryan Stow beating case, are offering more reasons why their client is not connected to this crime. One issue is that of his hair, or the suspect's lack thereof, according to NBC Los Angeles, as well as a few more as-yet unproved claims. more ›

A Chinese bank is has agreed to loan $7 billion to help build a high speed train between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, according to the Las Vegas Sun, via Curbed LA. That's great, but there are hurdles, including the fact that the line was not funded in the latest round of stimulus money, in which California received $2.25 billion. However, if it does become a reality, Las Vegas will truly become L.A.'s far flung suburb. But, hey, Chinese bankers, what about some funding for the subway to the sea? Huh? more ›

And, oh, he's only slept with three women. But don't worry, he has, according to him, " talent, stamina, endurance." Meet Markus Bestin, a former marine who was recently left homeless after a failed attempt in the porn industry. He's been gaining some buzz over the last couple weeks as Nevada's first legal male prostitute. more ›

Ever since last week's hyped announcement of federal funding for the MagLev train between Anaheim and Las Vegas, there's been a lot of talk and some updates. First, "the Federal Railroad Administration has made neither an award nor an announcement with regard to funding for maglev development in Nevada," said spokesman Mark Paustenbach on Thursday, the day after Governor Gibbons made the announceme more ›

A state senate bill that would allow gay couples to enter into a domestic partnership is making its way through the Nevada legislature. After passing through the Senate, the state's Assembly followed suit, but only after some amendments, last Friday. It now goes back to the Senate for approval, but even if passed, Gov. Jim Gibbons has already said he would use his vetoing power. Meanwhile, back in California, the state Supreme Court still deliberates over Prop 8 as the decision deadline approaches. Rulings are are only announced on Thursdays and Mondays with a advance notice the day preceding. Last Friday, an erroneous rumor began on Twitter saying a decision had been made. more ›

As the iPhone commercial says, "there's an app for just about anything." Want to get bruised up by security guards in a dark room behind a casino for counting cards? Yup there's an app for that. Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, "California gaming authorities tipped off their Nevada counterparts to a blackjack card-counting program that can be used on either the Apple iPhone or the Apple iPod Touch portable music player." Counting cards is not illegal in Nevada casinos (just ask these guys) but using a device like an iPhone app to help count cards is considered a felony. The cleverly titled "Blackjack Card Counter" app is still available in the iPhone App store for $3.99. more ›

Can you keep track of the years OJ is being sentenced to? Every outlet seemed to say something different: 15 years, 16 years, 18 years, 21 years. more ›

Pictures from the Burning Man Arts Festival more ›

The Los Angeles Times conducted a survey of all 58 counties in California asking about policies relating to same-sex marriage. 35 stated that employees were not allowed to opt out of officiating over marriages for any reason; or, at least, no reservations were expressed by clerks in those counties. more ›

Tainted sprouts might be on the shelves of your local grocery store. Although not considered a mealtime staple by many, a nice handful of sprouts can liven up a sandwich or a salad--that is unless they give you salmonella. more ›

Photo by laurenp! via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr more ›

The Egyptian is having a John Ford film fest this week, focusing on some of the 50-plus films made while he was at 20th Century Fox. Screening tonight is 1924’s The Iron Horse, a silent film that chronicles the American push out West. Ford shot the film on location in Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. The film will be introduced by historian and author Robert Bircard. more ›

The following is not an endorsement of LAist, it is the opinion of the writer. more ›

On Thursday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held a few miles north of Mojave for the country's largest city-owned windfarm. The Pine Tree Wind Project is Los Angeles' hope for the future of power, supplying 120 megawatts of renewable energy to our city. In fact, Mayor Villaraigosa, who attended the event and who has been working on ways to make energy more green and efficient, says "20 percent of the city's energy will come from renewable sources by the year 2010" (Daily News). more ›

After the Humane Soceity of the United States released a video (seen below) of abused cows at a Chino slaughterhouse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began an investigation on Wednesday. With a quick response, The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division urged all public schools to check where their cafeteria meat was coming from and two fast food chains cut their ties with the Chino based Westland/Hallmark Meat Company.

The president of In-N-Out Burger, Mark Taylor, said Thursday his company decided to stop buying beef from the company after learning of the video. more ›

Hoping to reach out to Latino voters, Barack Obama is using Spanish-language television advertising on Telemundo and Univision here in Los Angeles. more ›

The results from the Nevada Caucus are in and all the major news organizations have crowned Hillary Clinton the winner, with 51 percent of the vote. This marks the second win in a row for Clinton, who teared herself to a New Hampshire primary victory last week and hopes to ride this wave of momentum to next Saturday's South Carolina primary. more ›

As the results of today's caucuses--including one being held at Caesar's Palace--in Nevada continue to stream in, most are projecting Senator Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney the winners of the Democratic and Republican races, respectively. more ›

Sen. Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, have spent the past couple days traipsing around the Golden State uncomfortably responding to allegations that their campaign is connected to a lawsuit brought last week by the Nevada teacher's union that would prevent casino workers from caucusing on the job. more ›

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Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate and Ohio Congressman, will be allowed to participate in tomorrow's Nevada debate in the wake of a lawsuit his legal team filed in Clark County, Nev., his lawyer said today. more ›

The new "Man" for Burning Man is revealed. more ›

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It is estimated that 200 firms, 6000 workers and 1200 actors produce 4000-7000 adult films a year in Los Angeles. Yes, there are more porn-related, adult industry jobs than software jobs in this town. With $4.3 billion in sales and rentals (which is still nothing compared to the $12 Billion made from toys and books), the Adult Entertainment Industry puts $4 billion in revenue back into the local economy. “It’s in an industry producing... more ›

Photo by nopantsxris via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr more ›

It has been two days, and the dust still hasn’t settled from the embarrassing MTV Video Music Awards, which both the media and public seem to agree was the worst one ever. The reasons for the disastrous show range from the lackluster performance of Britney Spears to the confusing jumble of special performance spaces to the unhinged antics of Kanye West, Kid Rock, Tommy Lee, et al. But I know better. I also know... more ›

The fallout from Appalachian State’s upset over Michigan extended beyond Michigan falling out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The AP announced on Thursday that lower division schools are now eligible to be included in the poll. It’s great that the Championship Subdivision (aka Division I-AA) has a chance of being ranked alongside the big boys. While I highly doubt that a team even as accomplished as Appalachian State will crack the Top... more ›

Burning Man 2007 Photo Essay Part 2 more ›

On August 28th at 2:58AM PDT, just as the moon disappeared from the shadow of the earth, David Paul Addis fired a flare at The Man resulting in a premature burning of the festival's icon. The San Francisco man faces a felony arson charge in connection with the fire. Addis claims that he is the sole surviving member of the satirical group, Black Rock Intelligence, or "the CIA of Burning Man". Addis plans to... more ›

In a couple of weeks I will be joining 40,000 artists, misfits, deviants, hippies, vampires, musicians, furries, and nudists to participate in the 21st Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. So if you happen to be strolling through Venice Beach during the week of Aug. 27- Sept. 3 and wonder where all the freaks are at don’t be alarmed, we’re all just taking a much needed vacation from the default... more ›